Restrictions in Kupwara after youth dies in Army firing

Srinagar, Jul 12: Authorities on Thursday imposed restrictions in most parts of Kupwara district, where a youth was killed when the Army opened fire to disperse demonstrators, pelting stones last night.

However, a defence ministry spokesman said the Army opened fire in self defence after a mob of 40 to 50 people pelted stones on a patrol party in which five soldiers were injured.

Official sources told TNN that district administration imposed restrictions under Section 144 CrPC in most parts of the north Kashmir district since early this morning to prevent fresh clashes.

However, situation in some areas, including Trehgam, Chowkibal and Kupwara town, was entirely different. Additional security forces and state personnel deployed in these areas were directing people to remain indoor as curfew has been imposed. People coming from other areas were also sent back.

The authorities have ordered closure of educational institutions, apprehending trouble as the situation was very tense after the death of a youth.

Official sources said that some demonstrators pelted stones on an Army patrol at village Banpora, Trehgam on Kupwara-Chowkibal road last night. However, the Army personnel opened fire in which two people, including a shopkeeper Khalid Gaffar Malik, was critically wounded. The injured was immediately rushed to Kupwara hospital where he was declared brought dead. Another injured has been admitted to hospital. This was the first civilian killings in Kupwara this year when dozens of youths were killed in south and central Kashmir in security force action.

Meanwhile, defence ministry spokesman, in a statement, said a mob of 30-40 youth resorted to heavy stone pelting at the Army’s highway domination patrol located at Trehgam on Wednesday at around 2000 hrs as an Army convoy was passing through the area.

The patrol verbally cautioned the stone-pelters and, thereafter, fired two blank rounds in air to disperse the violent crowd.

However, he said, the mob didn't relent and stone pelting intensified endangering the safety of patrol. During the stone pelting , five soldiers sustained injuries. The patrol, finally resorted to controlled fire at the aggressive mob in self defence and continued with their task. Even earlier during the day on Wednesday, stone pelters had resorted to stone pelting at military vehicles at Trehgam and Kralpora, he said.